The nominees for the 16th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards include some new names but are dominated by faves Alison Krauss + Union Station feat. Jerry Douglas and Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, among others.
Krauss and company got 14 nominations including entertainer of the year, vocal group, and song of the year. Those include nods for individual members Dan Tyminski, Jerry Douglas, Barry Bales and Ron Block – Tyminski for male vocalist and the others for their various instruments (dobro, bass and banjo). Also, Krauss is up for female vocalist.
Vincent and her band scored eight nominations including entertainer, vocal group and female vocalist. The Rage’s Hunter Berry is up for best fiddle player.
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver and Blue Highway have seven nods apiece. Several groups received between five and six nominations including the Del McCoury Band, Larry Sparks, Mountain Heart, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, and Paul Williams.
Newcomer Cherryholmes is vying for entertainer of the year and emerging artist. For the first time, the awards show is scheduled to take place in Nashville, at the Ryman Auditorium, instead of Louisville, Ky. Krauss and Skaggs will host the October 27th event.